The Lindsay Park trained Fanatic is a firm favourite in the betting for today’s Group 2 $400,000 Adelaide Cup (3200m) at Morphettville.
Fanatic, above, is the firming favourite for the 2018 Adelaide Cup at Morphettville. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
The Adelaide Cup field has been reduced to fifteen runners following the scratchings of Master Of Arts, Khezerabad and Diamond Grace and in betting at Ladbrokes.com.au on race morning, Fanatic is the firming $4.20 favourite ahead of the Darren Weir trained Ormito at $5.50.
“Punters have spoken in the past 24 hours and Fanatic has easily been the best-backed horse,’’ Ladbrokes Tom Hackett said.
“The majority of the biggest bets placed with us have been on the Lindsay Park mare and she is now responsible for over 50 per cent of our hold on the race.
“The stable is absolutely flying.’’
Fanatic is fitter for three runs back since winning the Listed $150,000 Sandown Cup (3200m) at Sandown at the end of the 2017 Melbourne Spring Carnival and is coming off a last start second to Aloft in the Listed $120,000 3AW Roy Higgins Quality (2600m) at Flemington on March 3.
Lindsay Park head trainer David Hayes said that he set Fanatic for the Adelaide Cup after she won the Sandown Cup over the 3200m and a win today would make it two Cup victories in three days for the Lindsay Park Team and jockey Michael Walker combination after they teamed up for a win with $61 outsider Harlem in the Group 1 $1.5m Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington last Saturday.
“We backed off her after Sandown and set her for the Adelaide Cup,’’ Hayes told The Advertiser.
“It looks a race within reach for her and if she can get the job done then she’ll more than likely go to Sydney.’’
“Her form is outstanding going into the race and she comes into her own at two miles.’’
“I’m quietly confident that with an in-form Michael Walker aboard that she can win.’’
The Lindsay Park Team of David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig will also saddle up emerging stayer Raindrops On Roses ($14) and French import Al Harem ($17).
Raindrops On Roses was a last start winner in a 2500m BenchMark 78 Handicap at The Valley on March 2 while Al Harem has been placed at his last three starts and is coming off a last start second over 3000m in a BenchMark 84 Handicap also at The Valley on February 23.
“The French horse I expect to roll along on the speed if not lead and should run well,’’ Hayes said.
“And Raindrops On Roses really stays and her last start was pretty impressive.
“All three horses go into the race in really good form.’’
